Important note: As the nation responds to the coronavirus outbreak, people are buying essentials in bulk. You may find the goods here are priced higher than normal or temporarily out of stock at your usual go-to retailer.
When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting your home, bleach is one product you’ll want stocked in your pantry. Used for everything from cleaning bathrooms to removing stains, it can help keep your home fresh and clean.
We’ve scrubbed the Internet for online retailers offering low prices and deals for free shipping, helping you stock up on bleach for less.
Important message for the safe use of bleach
While bleach is generally safe when used properly, it’s a poisonous substance that should be used according to label directions only.
The CDC recommends the use of diluted bleach solutions for disinfecting hard or nonporous surfaces against COVID-19. But avoid mixing bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other acids, which releases a toxic chlorine gas that can be lethal at high levels and in confined spaces. And in light of recent speculation in the news and on social media, it bears repeating: Ingesting or injecting bleach in even small amounts can kill you.
Amazon: Easily buy in bulk and save.
With hundreds of new items added to Amazon every day from third-party sellers, you're likely to find all your cleaning needs here. Or place a Prime Pantry order and get free shipping when you spend $35 or more.
With the Amazon Fire TV, you can stream over 250,000 TV episodes and movies on HBO now, Amazon video, Netflix plus play games and listen to music and much more.
On Amazon.com you can either rent textbooks for college or buy cheap new and used textbooks. You can also trade your old textbooks for an Amazon gift card.
Amazon prime student helps you with some college shopping by finding deals through hundreds of vendors, from laptops to study snacks or office supplies.
Home Depot: Find goodies for your home and yard.
Home Depot stocks a range of home bulk cleaning products, including bleach for store pickup and delivery.
What’s the difference between chlorine and nonchlorine bleach?
The difference comes down to a chemical that contributes to its effectiveness as a disinfectant. Chlorine bleach is your everyday household bleach used to clean around the house and disinfect and sanitize countertops and other surfaces. The active ingredient in chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite, which makes up to 5.25% to 6% of bleach by weight. Sodium hypochlorite is what allows bleach to effectively kill viruses, bacteria and other germs.
Nonchlorine bleach is considered a safer alternative to chlorine bleach given a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which helps lift stains but doesn’t necessarily kill germs. Experts aren’t clear about the level of disinfecting qualities nonchlorine bleach offers, but it generally comes down to whether the manufacturer has included an extra ingredient or chemical designed to kill germs.
If you’re concerned about whether your bleach is an effective cleaner against germs and viruses, read the label’s fine print.
How to make your own disinfectant bleach solution
You can make your own disinfecting solution for countertops and other surfaces by diluting bleach with water:
Mix about 1/2 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water.
Carefully pour your solution into a spray bottle.
Spray your bleach solution onto a precleaned surface and allow to fully dry.
If you’re using a concentrated bleach, you may need to adjust the measurements to 1/3 cup bleach.
How do I use bleach safely against COVID-19?
The EPA advises six ways to safe and effective use of bleach and other disinfectants:
Follow the product’s directions and cautionary statements for your surface type.
Preclean the surface with soap and water.
Allow the bleach to dry according to its stated contact time, typically 6 minutes.
Wear gloves and wash your hands.
Tightly close and lock up your cleaning products out of the reach of children.
Can I kill germs without bleach?
Yes, but there’s no equal replacement that kills 99% of germs as bleach does. Still, when properly mixed, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar is known to kill germs that cause the common cold without the risks of bleach. And many DIYers swear by a paste of baking soda and vinegar to spruce up the bathroom. Borax too is a favorite for freshening up your laundry.
Leah Fallon is an editor for Finder. With 10 years of teaching English under her belt, it was a natural progression to move into editorial. She's written feature pieces for regional print and digital media and today helps fix annoying apostrophes, elusive infinitives and the muddled em and en dash. When she's not helping people with their finances, you can find her exploring the trails of Loudoun County, Virginia and wrangling her two sprightly girls.
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